Istanbul, the largest city in Turkey, is not the capital, but it is the historic heart of the country. The city straddles Europe and Asia and its history spans thousands of years from the Romans and the Ottomans to modern day. From the Hippodrome where Constantinople had chariot races to the Blue Mosque, to the Spice Bazaar which is a feast for the senses, the city is an adventure just waiting to happen. And, why wait? Its an add-on for GetAway Travel’s upcoming Egypt trip, but our travel advisors our ready to craft your version of a Turkish delight of a vacation.

Mosques and museums

 First, a word about the Bosphorus Strait, you can enjoy the beauty of Europe and Asia by taking a cruise on the river since there’s a continent on either side. There’s stunning landscapes, gorgeous historic buildings and the mysterious melding of the two seas. One of the world’s most narrow international navigation channels (there will be a quiz later…), it is also where the Mediterranean Sea mixes with the Black Sea. But its not a mix like, red and yellow make orange, its more of a lava lamp effect. The saltier, heavier Mediterranean Sea flows under the cooler Black Sea and they sort of layer and then mix. Take our word for it, you should see it. Back to our regular programming…

The Sultan Ahmed Mosque, or Blue Mosque, is the only existing six-tower mosque in the world. This 17th century masterpiece was built by Sultan Ahmed I and was created to make a statement of imperial might as well as to pay homage to Allah.

There are 20,000 blue tiles, in every shade of blue imaginable, inlaid on the walls and ceilings. Many of them depict tulips, carnations and lilies and they take on an ethereal glow when the sunlight streams through the 250 windows.

There is a huge dome and several smaller domes, a huge prayer hall with a soaring ceiling, in infirmary and an Islamic instruction college on the mosque grounds.

A word on the mosques, they are active worship sites and you must take off your shoes and put them in the handy cubbies, women should have covered shoulders and knees and in some cases, head coverings are required and provided for women. Some of the mosques close during prayer times so check before you visit.

The Hagia Sophia is a two-minute walk from the Blue Mosque and its dome appears to hover in the sky. Translated to “Holy Wisdom” it was the crown jewel of the Byzantine Empire and was converted into a mosque when the Ottomans conquered Constantinople in the mid-1400s. It was then converted into a museum and finally came full circle to a place of worship in 2020. It functions as a mosque and museum now with shimmering gold mosaics and amazing marble pillars.

The opulent mosaic decorations are done in Islamic as well as Christian styles, there’s beautiful stained glass windows, sculptures and carved walls and floors as well as columns.

The Suleymaniye Mosque is a fantastic example of Ottoman architecture. One of the most historic mosques in Istanbul, it has exquisite tile work in Ottoman style designs, beautiful stained glass windows, amazing oil lamps, intricate calligraphies and sultan tombs. A library, medical center, and hospital are part of the mosque.

There’s a remarkable array of temporary and permanent art exhibitions from Turkish and international artists at the Istanbul Modern Museum. In addition to the collections of paintings including watercolor works, there’s sculptures, video art and photographic galleries. There is also a cinema, design shop, contemporary film library and a great book and souvenir shop.

Who knew one of the best museum-like attractions is an underground cistern? The Basilica Cistern is a fascinating and beautiful landmark beneath the streets. This subterranean reservoir once supplied water to the palace and some of the government buildings. It almost seems to be a palace. This 500-foot long chamber is supported by 336 columns. Each column is unique, they were salvaged from Greek and Roman temples from conquered lands. Each is ornately carved and two columns in one corner feature large depictions of Medusa’s head. The cistern is the site of pop-up concerts and impromptu light shows. The cistern shows up in a number of films including the James Bond classic “From Russia With Love” and Dan Brown’s “Inferno.”

Palaces and markets

 There’s 500 years of history tied up in Topkapi Palace, a popular landmark. It was once the administrative headquarters and residence of the Ottoman emperors. Surrounded by walls, the palace has luxury courtyards, exhibition halls, gardens and treasure houses. An iconic example of traditional Ottoman architecture, don’t miss touring the palace treasury areas. Here you can see artwork made of diamonds, jade, pearls, porcelain and emeralds from different countries. There’s Ottoman paintings, Islamic calligraphy, frescoes and exquisite Chinese porcelain on display.

The Dolmabahce Palace is one of the most elegant and extravagant palaces in Istanbul. Once a residence of the Ottoman royal family, it has lavishly decorated rooms, ceremonial halls and beautifully landscaped gardens with fountains and sculptures. The interior reflects Baroque, Rococo and Neoclassical styles. Enjoy lots of gold leaf, crystal chandeliers and an impressive array of fine art and relics from different centuries.

Time to shop? Ok… the Grand Bazaar, with its 4,000 (yes, really, 4,000) shops, is the largest covered market in the world. You can find shops with hand-crafted items, souvenirs, carpets, mosaic lams, lanterns in both antique and modern styles, ceramics, metalware in traditional Ottoman designs, spices, sweets ad theme restaurants and cafés.

The Egyptian Bazaar is the second largest bazaar. It is known as the Spice Bazaar and it smells simply amazing. Shop for herbs, teas, including jasmine, rosebud and fruit selections, sweets, dried fruits and baklava. It is truly a colorful, fragrant and fun shopping experience.

Kadiköy Market has seasonal fruits and vegetables, honey, pickles, yogurt, freshly roasted nuts, ice cream, Turkish coffee and olive oil soaps. There are traditional shops as well as modern boutiques and cafés. It has been described as a foodies paradise.

Adventure awaits in Istanbul and the travel advisors at GetAway Travel are just a phone call away. We can be reached at:  (262) 538-2140, e-mail: sue@getaway.travel or paul@getaway.travel